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Regional Planning for Green Infrastructure Retrofits. Growing Green Infrastructure in NYS SUNY ESF Session 1: Planning – 11.17.10. Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Evaluation and Implementation Plan http://gflrpc.org/GreenInfrastructure.htm. Clean Water Act Section 604(b)
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Regional Planning for Green Infrastructure Retrofits Growing Green Infrastructure in NYS SUNY ESF Session 1: Planning – 11.17.10
Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Evaluation and Implementation Plan http://gflrpc.org/GreenInfrastructure.htm Clean Water Act Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Projects Appropriated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Credits Brian C. Slack, AICP Senior Planner – Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council John Lagorga, P.E., BCEE & Gregory Liberman, CPESC Stearns & Wheler, LLC Portions of this presentation have been adapted from: • “The Art and Science of Stormwater Retrofitting.” Deb Caraco, Center for Watershed Protection. April 12, 2010 • “Stormwater Retrofits: The Art of Opportunity.” CWP • Stearns & Wheler LLC Presentation to G/FLRPC August 27, 2010
Genesee/Finger Lakes Region • Genesee • Livingston • Monroe • Ontario • Orleans • Seneca • Wayne • Wyoming • Yates
Goals and Objectives • NYSDEC 604(b) Goal/Priority: • Develop planning activities to support implementation of “green infrastructure” as defined under the Clean Water Act • Our Proposal: • Partner with regional municipalities • Identify local “green infrastructure” stormwater retrofit opportunities • Provide them with a framework for implementing those projects • Conduct analysis of the local regulatory framework to ensure compatibility with local laws and to promulgate BMPs in BSD/LID
Project Municipalities • Targeted geographic focus areas • Specific watersheds • Regulated MS4s • ~65 municipalities were mailed solicitation letters • Asked to submit a letter of interest justifying why they would like to participate • 10 responses – all were accepted
What are Stormwater Retrofits? • Stormwater retrofits are stormwater management practices in locations where stormwater controls did not previously exist or were inadequate or ineffective (CWP) • Keep the water on-site • Infiltration • Evapo-transpiration • Reuse
Typical Stormwater Retrofit Goals • Fix Past Mistakes & Maintenance Problems • Demonstration & Education • Reduce Pollutants of Concern • Alleviate Chronic Flooding Problems • Reduce Stormwater Runoff Volumes • Reduce Downstream Channel Erosion • Trap Trash & Floatables • Support Stream or Watershed Restoration Projects
Typical Stormwater Retrofit Locations • Existing BMPs • Culverts • Storm Drain Outfalls • Parking Lots • Highway ROWs • Open Spaces
Grassed Swales & Rain Gardens Planters and Tree Boxes Permeable and Porous Pavements Pocket Wetland
“Storm Tank” Source: http://www.americaninfratech.com/bw.html
CWP: Eight Steps to Stormwater Retrofitting Step 1. Preliminary Watershed Retrofit Inventory Step 2. Field Assessment of Potential Retrofit Sites Step 3. Prioritize Sites for Implementation Step 4. Public Involvement Process Step 5. Retrofit Design Step 6. Permitting Step 7. Construction Inspections Step 8. Maintenance Plan
Step 1. Preliminary Watershed Retrofit Inventory • Administering short survey with each lead contact • Generating local stormwater goals • Badly performing existing facilities • Inflow and Infiltration • Green Spaces • Waterbodies of concern, TMDL priorities • Where possible, generate a list of potential sites • Conduct face to face follow-up • Begin preliminary desktop analysis
Step 2. Field Assessment of Potential Retrofit Sites • Develop inventory tool • Look for pollution prevention opportunities in the field • Conduct a ground-truth to determine what will work • Prepare a conceptual sketch and take photographs
CWP Retrofit Reconnaissance Form Source: D. Caraco, CWP
CWP Retrofit Recon. Form Source: D. Caraco, CWP
Basic Desktop Analysis and Sketch Plans Source: D. Caraco, CWP
Step 3: Prioritize Sites for Implementation • Information collected can be used to prioritize projects them locally and regionally • Consider cost effectiveness, logistical feasibility, potential for public/environmental benefit EXAMPLE Table Source: Stearns & Wheler LLC
Step 4: Local Law Review • No G/FLRPC project is complete without a local law “gap analysis”! • Analysis will seek to review existing laws, identify any potential conflicts and provide recommendations for BSD/LID
Final Project Outcomes • Prioritized list of feasible stormwater green infrastructure projects • Basic overview/framework to assist municipalities with next steps regarding implementation, including any necessary public outreach • Accompanying local law analysis
Questions? Contact Information Brian C. Slack, AICP Senior Planner – G/FLRPC bslack@gflrpc.org Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development Evaluation and Implementation Plan http://gflrpc.org/GreenInfrastructure.htm